J-School Requires iPod Touch, iPhone
6:11 am, May 7th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
An iPod Touch or iPhone is now considered necessary equipment for journalism students at the University of Missouri.
As of fall 2009, an iPod Touch is the minimum requirement (an iPhone is a plus) for incoming freshmen to j-school, providing orientation information and course materials.
It’s not the first time universities have adopted Apple devices, but it may be the first time they approach something like mandatory. (Would-be Woodwards and Bernsteins won’t have to flash their iPods at the door and there will be no penalties for not having one, the requirement stated.) The journalism school has also required students to have laptops with wireless capabilities since 2005.
Brian Brooks, associate dean of the Journalism School, said the idea is to turn the music player into a learning device.
“Lectures are the worst possible learning format,” Brooks told the Missourian. “There’s been some research done that shows if a student can hear that lecture a second time, they retain three times as much of that lecture.”
The iPods and iPhones will be offered at a special price, Brooks said, through the University bookstore. The school also stated they consider the device a one-time buy, one iPod should see students through college and that financing plans are available.
Elizabeth Eberlin, a j-school student, started a Facebook group called “Rotten Apple” in protest.
“I really like my Apple computer, but I don’t think people should be forced to buy one brand of computer or one brand of anything,” she told the Missourian, adding that the school’s relationship with Apple could be considered a possible conflict of interest.
Wonder if you still have to pass an English course or prove you can type before starting, too.
Image used with a CC license, thanks Peter.
Via the Missourian, Missouri School of Journalism
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in iPhone 3G, iPod Touch | Comment on this article
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Penn State’s College of Education requires that students have a MacBook when they enter into the college. The school does offer some sort of discount program for students who qualify, but all students need to have one.
Chase, on May 7th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Maybe the school should provide at no cost one to each of the students.
Net Essentials Llc.
http://www.netessentialsllc.com
Sean, on May 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
If there is no penalty for not having one, it isn’t really a requirement, is it?
Kevin Olson MD, on May 7th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Kevin — good point, there are a couple of ways to look at it…
One, they’re using the word requirement to mean essential but not obligatory and/or they just didn’t want to make come out and say “entry to j-school also requires enough money for Apple products…”
If you check out the school site, they use the word requirement, then talk about financing etc.
Nicole Martinelli, on May 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
[...] Touch being used more frequently in colleges for orientation, class lectures and in some cases required or in place of textbooks having one is becoming less of a plus and more of a [...]
Back To School Offer Mac + Free iPod Touch | Cult of Mac, on July 1st, 2009 at 5:13 pm